Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Wednesday, 14 November 2007 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Sectarian Crime

Question: May I associate myself and my party with the expressions of condolence with which the Minister opened his remarks? Does the Minister accept that the conflict transformation initiative has an important role in tackling sectarian crime, and that the administration of funds from the initiative is a wholly devolved matter? What representations did his Department make to the Minister of Social Development before her recent decision to withdraw funding from a programme because of concerns about possible links between it and the Ulster Defence Association?

Answer: The conflict transformation initiative is a devolved matter, and it was for the Minister of Social Development to decide whether to continue to fund the organisations involved. I had discussions with the Minister of Social Development, because one of the criteria that she set in her decision on funding was in relation to decommissioning, which remains a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and me rather than being a devolved matter. We have always been clear, however, that the issue concerned was entirely for her to decide, and she has decided.

Secondary information